The opening race of Season 8 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East was won by Ireland's Ryan Cullen here Saturday. Saudi Arabia's Bandar Alesayi came first in his category with protégé and young upcoming talent Mohammad Al-Saud narrowly missing out on a podium position in both the new GCC Rookie category. Bandar Alesayi displayed a strong performance amongst a grid featuring 17 drivers from 12 different nationalities. The victory in the Silver Category saw him take some strong points early on in the season. His win came courtesy of some thrilling driving overcoming the five other drivers in his category. The Silver Category includes talented Omani newcomer. Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, the teenage duo of Isa A and Isa S. Al-Khalifa and experienced driver Wolfgang Triller of Saudi Arabia. Alesayi fought off some incredibly attacking driving, taking a well-earned win in his category from one of the most dramatic races ever witnessed in the championship or at the circuit. In a response to the growing strength of championship and the influx of emerging race talent from the GCC region making their debut, organizers introduced a new category to inspire rookie drivers. It was an opportunity that teenage driver Mohammad Al-Saud from Saudi Arabia welcomed, with this being his first ever professional championship outing. At the front of the race it was Irishman Cullen who overcame a spirited grid featuring 17 drivers from 12 different countries to claim maximum points and an early season victory. His win came courtesy of edging out Dylan Pereira of Luxembourg into second place. Their battle renewed a rivalry established in Porsche Supercup and was only settled on the final corner in one of the most dramatic races ever witnessed in the championship or the circuit. Third place went to Tom Oliphant of Britain who emerged from an aggressive chasing pack which included Denis Olsen of Norway, who finished fourth and Qatar-based driver Charlie Frijns fifth. The top six was completed by Bandar Alesayi of Saudi Arabia. On his debut race in the championship UAE-resident Bashar Mardini showed early promise with a 15th placed finish. The first action of the new season was a perfect advertisement for the leading motorsport series in the region and marks the start of a bright new future chapter for Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. An expanded grid, new young drivers from the region and more international field than ever before, Season 8 is expected to take racing to a new level in the Middle East. With all drivers competing in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, the one-make series will race across three world-class regional racing circuits, namely the Bahrain International Circuit, Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
